I Wasn't Trying to Seduce with the Male Lead - Episode 99

Sitting in the VIP section, Minaz looked up at the platform.

While she had attended the previous two trials seated next to Claude, this time, she deliberately sat below the platform with Duke Bormia.

The trial looked quite different from the audience’s perspective.

The distance made the parties involved seem more objective, like detached observers, yet she felt it was easier to be swept up in the surrounding atmosphere.

“Begin your testimony.”

Claude’s voice resonated with authority.

From a distance, he didn’t look like the petulant brat who got easily riled up; instead, he seemed like a proper, dignified judge. He appeared quite imposing and handsome. There were a good number of noble ladies around who blushed at the sight of him.

‘He’s all grown up now…’

Her momentary contentment quickly faded.

Biancasta, standing at the witness stand, began to convulse.

‘It’s gruesome.’

Hearing about the spell was one thing; seeing it in person was entirely different.

Her grotesquely twisted, yet desperate attempts to convey something, were strangely moving.

However, a cold voice from the audience soon broke the spell, disrupting the emotional connection.

“Stop the theatrics in court!”

Following a young girl’s cry, a series of complaints erupted from the VIP section.

“What’s she doing now? Is she up to her usual eccentricities?”

“Marquess Weiss’s daughter always pretended to be sick like that to get attention. Even after the Princess told her to stop several times.”

Minaz didn’t have much to do with the girls’ tea parties, but she was familiar with the Princess’s social circle.

She immediately realized that those who spoke up were all part of the Princess’s fawning entourage.

“The queen bee has been disturbed, and the bees are in a frenzy,” Minaz murmured softly. Duke Bormia gave a slight nod in agreement.

“She is currently testifying. Everyone, please be silent.”

“But I find it difficult to call that a testimony,” Count Idelche, who came to defend the Princess, said in a mocking tone.

At that moment, a slender woman stood up and approached Biancasta.

“Your Honor, my name is Graham, and I am here to assist Marquess Weiss’s daughter.”

It was Eleanor’s assistant, Graham.

Not a few noblewomen, including Minaz, widened their eyes in recognition.

Graham spoke to Claude in a calm voice.

“Marquess Weiss’s daughter is here, but she cannot speak the truth directly.”

“What is the reason?”

“She is currently under a Vow of Silence.”

At the words “Vow of Silence,” the crowd began to murmur again.

“That is a spell strictly forbidden in the Empire, is it not?”

“Yes, it is. If you hold me accountable for that, I will gladly accept the responsibility,” Graham calmly admitted. She then raised her voice.

“However, there is a more important fact. Someone forced this vow upon her, stole her voice, controlled her for years, induced her to commit evil acts, and subjected her to suffering worse than hell.”

The murmurs turned to gasps of shock.

The stunning revelation that the reach of magic had extended to a high-ranking noble caused a ripple of shock through the VIP section.

And since Biancasta’s reputation was so notorious, the general public also began to buzz.

Marquess Weiss, who had been sitting in the front row with a clear look of reluctance, shot up and asked, “Who would dare do such a thing to my daughter?”

“I believe you can guess, Marquess. There aren’t many people who could.”

Having been well-trained by Eleanor, Graham skillfully heightened the tension in the room.

As the quiet audience’s eyes were perfectly fixed on her, she looked toward the platform and raised her hand.

“It was Her Royal Highness Princess Eileen Hascator who placed the Vow of Silence on Marquess Weiss’s daughter.”

Cries of shock and disbelief erupted from all sides.

The Princess, who was named, shook her head as if in a convulsion and whimpered.

“No, that can’t be! M-Me? I couldn’t possibly. Absolutely not.”

Her look of feigned innocence was a masterpiece.

Count Idelche, standing beside her, shouted with a furious face, “How dare this commoner, who appeared out of nowhere, slander Her Royal Highness! This woman must be torn to pieces!”

As the commotion intensified, Claude wielded his gavel to cut it short.

He looked directly at Graham and asked, “Do you have proof?”

“Yes, I do.”

Graham fumbled in her pocket and held up a shimmering ring for all to see.

“This is a Stringstone. It is a treasure that reveals the line connecting the spellcaster and the vow-taker when it touches the skin.”

She approached Claude and placed the ring on the platform.

After looking at it for a moment, Claude slowly rose from his seat.

“There’s no need to verify such a thing! Punish this insolent woman immediately!” Idelche bellowed, but Claude paid him no mind.

He picked up the ring and descended the platform.

Then, he approached Biancasta, who was standing in the center of the courtroom.

The moment Claude put on the ring, everyone in the square held their breath, watching him intently.

Only Minaz saw the Princess bow her head, close her eyes, and mumble something.

“Marquess Weiss’s daughter, offer your hand.”

At Claude’s words, Biancasta extended her trembling hand.

Taking her hand, Claude’s dry eyes swept over the surroundings.

“The red line…” A low but clear voice echoed through the square.

“Is not visible.”

“She lifted the vow.”

From the top of the tower at the Calabria Estate, Sky spoke.

“As expected, she doesn’t give away her cards easily.”

Unlike the chaotic square, his voice was calm.

Eleanor, who was beside him and had been the one to strongly insist on making her the first witness, didn’t seem flustered at all.

Instead, she was smiling.

‘It went according to plan.’

When they first confirmed Biancasta’s spell, they didn’t know of Beatrice’s existence, so they thought it could be easily lifted.

However, since Beatrix was the greatest sorceress in the Empire’s history, it was difficult for others to lift a spell she had cast.

Among the various methods, the most convenient one was obvious.

‘If the spellcaster wishes it, the spell can be lifted at any time.’

They had predicted that the Princess would lift the vow when a Stringstone was presented in front of everyone.

Thanks to this, Biancasta was set free without having to endure the pain of having her skin flayed.

‘Now, the only thing left is to endure this to the very end.’

With the vow lifted, the evidence to corner the Princess was gone.

Naturally, a torrent of accusations was directed at the villainess, Biancasta, turning the area into pandemonium.

Blame and insults flew from all directions, and some people even threw objects.

Biancasta’s face was pale, but she silently endured the onslaught.

‘She must be quite used to being criticized, thanks to the Princess.’

Even if she was somewhat desensitized, it would be difficult to completely ignore such an onslaught of censure.

As Eleanor watched with concern, Sky patted her shoulder.

“You don’t have to worry. People who have someone to lean on are strong at heart.”

Sky’s long finger pointed to a spot.

At the end of his gaze was Adrian, who was seated on the plaintiff’s side.

He was looking at Biancasta with unwavering eyes, as if he couldn’t hear the countless words being thrown at her.

It was very clear what a great comfort that would be.

“I guess so,” Eleanor conceded. Sky then subtly wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“So, why don’t you lean on me too?”

Before she could even answer, a powerful cough sounded.

“Remove your arm, Your Grace.”

Sky frowned and looked to his side.

There was Blaine, with a raised eyebrow, staring at them.

“Instead of interfering with someone else’s date, shouldn’t you be on your own?”

“If I had someone to date, I wouldn’t be sitting here. And my desire to not be here is a separate issue.”

Blaine responded with a nonchalant tone to Sky’s disgruntled expression.

“Isn’t this your own doing, Your Grace? Why do you keep provoking Lian?”

This was something that made Eleanor a little curious too.

If he hadn’t deliberately provoked Lian, they would have been alone right now.

Of course, she didn’t want that, but this intelligent man couldn’t possibly be unaware of what he was doing, so why was he doing it?

As she tilted her head in confusion, Sky scratched his cheek.

“Ah, it seems the rage from my academy days, when I was completely ignored, still remains. When I see the Count, I just want to anger him.”

“If that’s the reason, it’s even more your own doing.”

When Blaine put his foot down, Sky put his arms behind his head and leaned back in his chair.

“Well, it’s fine. I decided to enjoy this situation rather than complain.”

“Enjoy the situation?”

“Yes. I never thought I’d meet you again. Isn’t it great that I can at least see you by my side like this?”

Eleanor retorted coolly to Sky’s smooth words.

“Don’t pretend to be a romantic. It won’t work on me.”

“That’s so harsh. I’m hurt.”

Sky said this with a face that made it impossible to believe he was hurt.

“If you’re not going to believe me anyway, maybe I should just act like a beast.”

“You’ll be killed by Lian if you do.”

“I’m already half-dead. Do you think I’m afraid of death?”

After glancing at the brand on his lower body, Sky spoke leisurely.

“If it really doesn’t work, I’m even willing to compromise.”

“Compromise?”

“Yes.”

Sky turned his head toward Eleanor and narrowed his eyes.

“I don’t mind a party of three.”

Eleanor took a moment to understand his meaning.

Not wanting his words to be ignored, Sky added again.

“Usually there are two women, but I think the Count would be fine.”

Eleanor’s face instantly turned bright red as she finally understood.

“What on earth are you talking about!”

“Don’t get mad. It’s a conclusion I came to after a lot of suffering.”

“I’m getting mad because you keep saying such frivolous things!”

Even with Eleanor’s fiery retort, Sky’s smile didn’t fade.

He put pressure on the arm that Eleanor was trying to pull away and continued to speak.

“Don’t be like that. I am a subordinate of…” His words were interrupted, and then he returned to his leisurely self.

“That’s something to look forward to.”

Sky’s eyes, as he stroked Eleanor’s hair, seemed more gentle than usual.

Blaine, who had been listening to their conversation with a blank expression, scratched his head and spoke.

“What is this? Whatever you’re doing with three people, include me too.”

Eleanor’s mouth fell open. ‘There are so many strange people around here.’

“…To be precise, they are all around the Count.”

Everyone present would have never been entangled with each other if they hadn’t met Lian.

Sky did not deny it, and he nodded while mumbling.

“This is the first time I’ve been in such a crisis in my life, but it’s also the first time it’s been this interesting.”

‘Interesting’ in such a serious situation?

Eleanor pouted her lips and quickly freed herself from Sky’s weakened arm.

“Let’s stop with the nonsense and focus on the trial. This is the most important thing right now.”

In the square, Biancasta, who had been at the center of the verbal barrage, was now stepping back.

“We’re reaching the more crucial phase.”

As soon as she spoke, Claude’s voice came from the square.

[The next witness is the plaintiff, Adrian Yunis.]

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